GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITIES: THE AIRPLANE SONG

Gross motor activities that go along with catchy music are great ways to get kids moving! Think about all the times a catchy song has come on in the car and a glance in the rearview mirror reveals bobbing heads, clapping hands, and all around grooving! Laurie Berkner Band is one of our favorite bands for musical movement. Click here to download The Airplane Song or purchase her latest CD here.

THE AIRPLANE SONGGet in your airplanes and off we go
Going to the park is first, you know.
Now slow it down and land on the ground
And when you get out you’re gonna jump all around.
…California…spin all around
…New York City…gallop all around
…playground…dance all around
Get back in your airplanes, it’s time to go home
Your family and friends are waiting you know
Now slow it down and land on the ground
And come sit down in your own hometown

WHAT YOU WILL NEED: Laurie Berkner Band’s Airplane Song, hula hoop for variation

WHAT TO DO: Listen to this song first and see if your children can pick out the movements in the song. Make sure they are hearing the words gallop, jump, dance, spin, airplane. Break the activity down and ask them to demonstrate the movements without the music first. The put it all together!

HOW TO CHANGE IT UP:
-Have the children stand in a circle holding hands as they follow the motions for entire song. This will require a lot of cooperation as they move together.
-Give each child a partner and have them follow each other’s movements as they listen to the song. Can they follow their partner as they fly? Can they land at the same time? Can they spin in the same direction and at the same speed? Can they sit in the same way?
-Increase the level of body awareness and coordination by using a hula hoop as the airplane! Have them stand inside the hoop and hold onto it with both hands. Can they complete all of the movements without dropping the hoop?

Want to take a closer look at the gross motor skill development skills kids are using in this activity? Check out our Clinical Closeup page, where we break down the skills listed below in terms everyone can understand.

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Lauren Drobnjak is co-author of The Inspired Treehouse blog and a pediatric physical therapist who currently practices in the educational environment. She has been a physical therapist for 18 years, with 17 of those years specifically in pediatrics. Her drive to make a difference in the lives of kids has led her entrepreneurial spirit in the direction of creating opportunities for play-based wellness and child development. She is a busy mama of 3 who thrives on chaos. To come down from the stress, Lauren enjoys exercising like she’s still 20, yoga, chocolate, a great book, browsing Pinterest, and anything crafty!